Space Crew Finally Heading Home After Weeks of Delays

After several delays, three NASA astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut are preparing to leave the International Space Station this Wednesday. Their departure was initially pushed back due to issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. Recently, bad weather, including Hurricane Milton, has been the main obstacle. The crew, which includes Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Alexander Grebenkin, has been in space for almost eight months. They will travel back to Earth in a SpaceX Dragon capsule, undocking at 5:05 p. m. ET. The journey home wasn't always straightforward. Their mission, named Crew-8, arrived in March and was supposed to end in September. However, their stay was extended to provide an emergency lifeboat for astronauts on the Starliner capsule, which faced problems and returned without a crew. Two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, are still on the space station, and the crew members departing this week helped support their mission. Weather conditions are crucial for a safe return. NASA and SpaceX have specific areas off Florida's coast for splashdowns. Storms and rough seas can make landing dangerous for both the capsule and the rescue teams. The crew's trip back will take about 34 hours, with a splashdown expected on Friday around 3:30 a. m. ET. NASA will broadcast the undocking live starting at 3 p. m. ET on Wednesday.